Paint softener

ABSTRACT

A device for use in removing paint from a surface, in which an electrical heating element is brought into proximity with the pain. The heating element is mounted in one chamber immediately adjacent a plate forming a wall of the chamber. Two additional chambers are located sequentially between the first chamber and hand-gripping means, the two additional chambers having lateral ventilation apertures to dissipate the heat from the element.

D United States Patent 1 13,590,214

[72] lnventor Paul R. Kuzyk [56] References Cited 106 Lake Street. Saint Catherine, Ontario, UNITED STATES PATENTS Canada 619,314 2/1899 Jones 219/228(UX) {21] P 1,408,196 2/1922 Hoffman 219/533 x [22] 1969 1,644,139 10/1927 1146136611.... 88 [45] Paemed 1,664,429 4/1928 MUiIilaUp.. 219/533 x 1,708,079 4/1929 Brewer 219/228 (UX) 7151658 1968 abandmed' 2,065,366 12/1936 EiChOl'l'L. 219/254 x 2,277,034 3/1942 Bisley 219/258 X 2,512,062 6/1950 Huffman 219/254X 2,768,272 10/1956 Lesher 219/245 2 3,293,413 12/1966 Meltzer 219/228 (UX) Primary Examiner-A. Bartis 5 PAINT Attorney-Westell & Hanley 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 219/228, ABSTRACT: A device for use in removing paint from a sur- 38/88, 38/93,219/254,2l9/346,2l9/531, face, in which an electrical heating element is brought into .219/533 proximity with the pain. The heating element is mounted in [51] Int. Cl 1105b 3/02, one chamber immediately adjacent a plate forming a wall of D06f75/36 the chamber. Two additional chambers are located sequen- [50] Field of Search 219/228, tially between the first chamber and hand-gripping means, the 243, 245259,460, 531, 533, 536, 346, 343; two additional chambers having lateral ventilation apertures 38/88. 89, 93 to dissipate the heat from the element.

PATENTEU JUN2 9 I97:

SHEET 1 OF 2' 35 32 34 21 2022 I6 27 I2 I] INVENTOR.

PAUL R. KUZ YK PATENTED JUN29 um SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVIiNlUR. PAUL R KUZYK WMM; 75$? FIG-4 PAINT SOFTENER This application is a continuation-in-part of my U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 7l5,658 filed Mar. 25, 1968, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to paint or tile removal and more particularly to a device for heating a coating of paint or a tile for its subsequent removal from a surface.

Paint softeners employing heat are well known and usually take the form of an electric heating element, together with a heat dissipator or deflector, mounted in a frame which may be placed by hand against a painted surface such as a wall. The heater, spaced from the painted surface, radiates heat both directly and from the dissipator or deflector onto an area of paint which becomes softened and may be scraped from the supporting surface immediately after the frame has been removed. Heaters rather than torches are preferred because they soften a larger area of paint at an even temperature for clean and thorough removal.

Units presently known are productively inefficient since the wattage must be reduced to obtain a sufficiently portable unit. An example of such a portable unit is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,497,535 issued Feb. 14 1950 to F. Carlino, where a low wattage is required to enable the unit to be comfortably handled by an operator. An insulation shield such as that shown in Carlino does not overcome the problem because higher wattage would scorch or burn the shield or overheat it. The further object of the invention is to provide a device which increases the efficiency of consumption of electrical energy necessary to heat a given area of paint or tile for subsequent removal.

These objects are achieved by providing a device for use in removing paint from a surface, in which an electrical heating element is placed in a chamber immediately behind a heat conducting plate and two additional, laterally ventilated chambers are located sequentially behind the chamber housing the heating element, the two additional chambers being interposed between the heating element and handgripping means to dissipate the heat from the element. Either the heating element is concave or the heat conducting plate is scored or sectioned.

Example embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is an exploded perspective view of a device according to the invention; 3

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

The embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings consist of a frame which is constructed of a pair of bands 11 held in spaced apart relationship by a plurality of rods 12 carrying free rolling cylindrical handgrips 13 and by housing 14. The bottom portions of bands 11 form parallel runners 15 lying in a flat plane. Housing 14 is formed by a pair ofparallel side plates 16 and a pair ofparallel end plates 17.

Mounted within housing 14 is a heating element 18 which is looped in a plane lying parallel to and adjacent the plane of runners 15. Heating element 18 may have any suitable configuration to cover an optimum area over the plane formed by the runners; as shown in the drawings the heater is formed of a pair of square loops supported adjacent their outer ends by a pair of brackets 19 which are fixed to side plates 16 of housing 14. A divider 20 is also mounted on side plates 16 on housing 14 parallel to the loops of heating element 18 and separating the housing into a lower chamber 21 and an upper heat dissipating chamber Handgrips leads 23 of heating elements 18 pass through divider 20 into a junction box 24 mounted on the divider in upper chamber 22. Junction box 24 is connected with a flexible cable 25 of suitable length carrying a plug outside housing 14 for connection with an electrical power source. Junction box 24 may conveniently carry a thermostat 26 (or an on-off switch), the box and thermostat being accessible through a removable top cover plate 27 on housing 14.

Lower chamber 21 is separated, by a second divider 28, into an element zone 21a and a heat dissipation chamber 21b. Connector leads 23 of heating element 18 pass through divider 28, which is mounted on brackets 19.

The bottom of housing 14 is formed by a rectangular screen 29 bridging runners 15 of frame 10 and extending between end walls '17. Overlying screen 29, and fixing it both to runners l5 and to end walls 17, is a circumscribing fastening rim 30 which is secured in sections, for convenient removal, to runners I5 and to end wall 17 by screws 31. Rim 30 carries a plurality of small prongs or cleats 32 on its outer surface.

The portion of housing 14 adjacent handgrips 13 is curved convexly and provided with covers 33 to complete the housing closure. Sidewalls 16, end walls 17 and covers 33 of housing 14 all carry screened ventilating apertures 34 opening from heat dissipation chamber 21b of lower chamber 21 and upper heat dissipating chamber 22. An angular deflection guard or shield 35 is fastened on at least one sidewall 16 or housing 14 (that sidewall being uppermost when the apparatus is being used against a vertical surface) to protect these openings 34 adjacent runners 15 against paint scrapings which would otherwise clog the screens of the openings.

The frame of the device may be constructed of any suitable material and aluminum is preferred where the apparatus is Handgrips by hand and weight is a factor to be considered. Handgrips 13 are preferably of wood for comfort in handling the device and to minimize heat conduction from frame 10. Screen 29 must be fabricated of any suitable heat-conducting material, heavy brass or copper being preferred for maximum heat storage and radiation. Of course screen 29 may be contoured if desired for use with nonplanar surfaces.

In the operation of the device, cable 25 is connected'with an electrical power source which heats elements 18 situated in lower chamber 21 of housing 14. The device is then used by placing it against a painted surface from which the paint is to be removed. Rim 30 is placed in contact with the painted surface and the operator is assisted in holding the apparatus in position by prongs 32 which penetrate and grip the paint coating. Heating element 18 radiates heat onto screen 29 which accumulates the heat and dissipates it evenly over its entire surface. Screen 29 in turn radiates the heat onto the painted surface to soften the paint coating. Circumferential rim 30 spaces screen 29 from the painted surface and prevents burning as well preventing side drafts or crosscurrents of air passing between the screen and the painted surface which would dissipate the heat into the atmosphere and prevent maximum absorption by the paint coating. On the other hand screened openings 34 allow controlled side drafts to pass through heat dissipating chamber 21b of lower chamber 21 which enables the heat in that chamber to escape, thus helping to cool the upper portion of the apparatus while maximum heat is radiated against screen 29. Heat dissipating chamber 21b in lower chamber 21 thus acts as a buffer in dissipating the heat radiating back from element 18. Back radiation of heat into upper chamber 22 of housing 14, and to handgrips 13, is inhibited by heat dissipating chambers 21b and 28.

When the paint surface has been heated to a sufficient degree, the apparatus is removed and the heated area is scraped to remove the paint coating. In normal practice the apparatus is shifted to a contiguous area to heat that area while the previously heated portion of the painted surface is being scraped.

Access to the interior of housing 14 is obtained simply by removal of the appropriate cover plates. Thus to obtain access to upper chamber 22 housing junction box 24 and thermostat 26 it is merely necessary to remove cover plate 27 which may be fastened to housing 14 in any suitable manner.

For portable use an electrical heating unit of 2500 watts on a 220 v. circuit has been found advantageous. With this apparatus a rim 30 having a thickness approximately one-quarter inch is adequate to prevent scorching and flaming of the paint surface being heated. Of course the same degree of portability is not required for apparatus designed to remove paint or tiling from floor surfaces.

It will be appreciated that coiled heating elements 18 could be replaced by solid metal plate elements. Also, dividers 20 and 28 may include a heat reflecting surface on that side directed towards element 18.

The described embodiment is constructed for easy access to its components and for dismantling. To expose heating element 18 it is merely necessary to remove rim 30 and screen 29 by withdrawing screws 31. Since housing 14 is mounted on frame by screws 31 their withdrawal also allows the housing to be separated and removed from the frame.

Rim 30 is constructed in sections to enable removal of the end portions for use of the apparatus on clapboard sidings; this enables screen 29 to lie close enough to the siding for efficient operation.

In the alternate embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, housing 14 consists of three covers 40, 41 and 42 superimposed one on the other to form three separate chambers, a lower chamber 43, a middle chamber 44, and an upper chamber 45.

Mounted within lower chamber 43 of housing 14 is a heating element 46 which lies in a plane lying parallel to and adjacent the plane of runners 15. Heating element 46 may have any suitable configuration to cover an optimum area over the plane formed by the runners; as shown in the drawings the heating element is formed of a plurality of parallel strips 47 supported at their ends by a pair of brackets 48 and connected one to another by jump wires 49. Heating element 46 is connected at one end by leads 50 which pass from lower chamber 43 through cover 40, through cover 41 into middle chamber 44, and finally through cover 41 into upper chamber 45 where the leads are connected with an on-off switch 51 mounted in chamber 45 on cover 42. Switch 51 is connected with a flexible cable 52 of suitable length passing through cover 42 and carrying a plug outside housing 14 for connection with an electrical power source, and the switch is accessible through a removable top plate 53 on cover 42. Leads 26 carry insulating tubes 54 within middle chamber 44 and are accessible adjacent their connection with heating element 46 through a cowl 55 removably fixed to covers 40 and 41 by screws 56 and through an aperture 57 in cover 40.

Covers 40 and 41, preferably reflective, provide air convection dividers between heating elements 46 and switch 51, and also between the heating elements and handgrips 13. A further divider 58 is mounted longitudinally on cover 41 to divide middle chamber 44 into two subchambers or zones 44a (adjacent lower chamber 43) and 44b (adjacent upper chamber 45). Both zones 44a and 44b are ventilated by screened openings 59 in cover 41. Another divider 60 is mounted transversely on cover 40 to space leads 50 from chamber 43. Further screened openings 61 are located in cover 40 and cowl 55 adjacent leads 50.

The bottom of housing 14 is formed by a rectangular plate 62 bridging runners of frame 10 and closing lower chamber 43. Plate 62 is mounted on brackets 48 of cover 40 by screws 63 which also serve to hold a pair of spacer bars 64 located between the plate and heating element 46. To prevent buckling on being heated, plate 62 is preferably divided into platelets 65 (connected together, for example, by rods or pins 66) which are circumscribed by a rim 67. Also, the sectioning of plate 62 into platelets 65 gives the plate flexibility to compensate for an uneven painted surface (such as by warping). Since more heat is radiated from plate 62 in its central portion, heating element 46 is preferably slightly concave, as

shown more clearly in FIG. 2 of the drawings, todistribute the heat radiation more evenly on to the paint surface. Plate 62 is also channelled on its outer surface to form flat faced studs 620 which inhibit paint from adhering to it, facilitate the removal of paint which may adhere to it, and increase the frictional force between the plate surface and the painted surface which assists in handling the device during its operation. Also, the temperature of plate 62, when channelled, is stabilized when not in contact with a painted surface. A cross brace (not shown) may be fixed to bands 11 to support plate 62 at the midpoint in its length.

As before, the frame of the device may be constructed of any suitable material and aluminum is preferred, with wooden handgrips 13. Plate 62 must be fabricated of a suitable heatconducting material such as aluminum. Of course plate 62 may be contoured if desired for use with nonplanar surfaces.

In the operation of the device of FIGS. 3 and 4, cable 52 is connected with an electrical power source which heats elements 46 situated in lower chamber 43 of housing 14. The device is then used by placing it against a painted surface from which the paint is to be removed. Plate 62 is placed in contact with the painted surface and the operator is assisted in holding the apparatus in position by the grooved outer surface of the plate which grips the paint coating. Heating element 46 radiates heat onto plate 62 which accumulates the heat and dissipates it evenly over its entire surface. Plate 62 in turn radiates the heat onto the painted surface to soften the paint coating. Cover 40 of housing 14 is closed to prevent the dissipation of heat into the atmosphere and to obtain maximum absorption by plate 62. On the other hand screened openings 59 and 61 allow ventilation of the enclosed areas carrying leads 50 of heating element 46 and also-help to cool the upper portion of the apparatus while maximum heat is radiated against plate 62. Back radiation of heat into upper chamber 45 of housing 14, and to handgrips 13, is inhibited by covers 40 and 41 and also by divider 58. The air in closed chamber 43 and also acts as a buffer in dissipating the heat radiating back from heating element 46.

As before, when the paint surface has been heated to a sufficient degree, the apparatus is removed and the heated area is scraped to remove the paint coating.

It will be appreciated that strips 47 heating element 46 could be replaced for instance by a solid metal element. Also, covers 40 and 41, and dividers 58 and 60, may include a heat reflecting surface on that side directed towards element 46.

The overall structure of the example embodiments shown in the drawings enables the device'to be set down on its side or even upside-down when not in actual use. Cable 25 or 52 is preferably of short length to prevent it from coming into contact with heated screen 29 or plate 62 when the cable has been disconnected from the electrical source.

Since there must be a heat buildup in the paint coating to soften it, heat must be efficiently transferred to the painted surface to prevent dissipation and this is accomplished by the apparatus of the present invention. Screen 29 or plate 62 maintains a temperature short of scorching the paint and any paint which bubbles up from the surface and adheres to the screen or plate may be easily cleaned off, because of the small contacting surface of the screen with the paint,and because of the grooves in the plate. Adjustment of the temperature of the heating elements 18 of the device may be effected in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 by thermostat 24 while in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 this is achieved by mounting spacer bars 64 of preselected thickness between elements 47 and plate 62.

It should be noted that the amount of heat required to be applied to a painted surface is not necessarily proportional to the thickness of the paint coating since heat radiated from screen 29' or plate 62 onto the painted surface may be more readily retained by a paint having a higher lead content or because of the low heat conducting characteristics of the undersurface to which the paint has been applied; thus a thicker coating of paint may soften in a lesser time.

This described embodiment is also constructed for easy access to its components and for dismantlingJTo expose heating element 46 it is merely necessary to remove plate 62 by withdrawing screws 63. To obtain access to upper chamber 45 housing switch 51 it is merely necessary to remove cover plate 53 which may be fastened to cover 42 in any suitable manner. As mentioned above, leads 50 are accessible adjacent their connection with heating element by removing cowl 55.

By using at least two heat dissipating chambers or zones, the use of insulating material is eliminated. This both reduces the weight of the device, which is important for portability, and al- .lows the wattage to be increased, which is important for efficiency (i .e. saving of time).

I claim: 1. A device for use in removing paint; tile or the like from a surface, comprising:

' a frame;

means on said frame defining a first chamber; an electrical heating element mounted in the first chamber; a plate of heat-conducting material forming one wall of the first chamber in front of the heating element, the heating element being concavely curved away from the plate; means on said frame defining a second chamber positioned behind the first chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the heating element; means on said frame defining a third chamber positioned behind the second chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the second chamber; means, connecting with the terminals of the heating ele ment, behind the third chamber for connection with a source of electrical energy; and handgripping means mounted on the frame behind the third chamber. 2. A device for use in removing paint, tile or the like from a surface, comprising:

a frame; means on said frame defining a first chamber; an electrical heating element mounted in the first chamber; a plate of heat-conducting material forming one wall of the first chamber in front of the heating element, the outer surface of the plate being scored with a grid of channels to form rectangular, flat faced studs thereon; means on said frame defining a second chamber positioned behind the first chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the heating element;

means on said frame defining a third chamber positioned behind the second chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the second chamber;

means, connecting with the terminals of the heating element, behind the third chamber for connection with a source of electrical energy, and

handgripping means mounted on the frame behind the third chamber.

3. A device for use in removing paint, tile or the like from a surface, comprising:

a frame;

means on said frame defining a first chamber;

an electrical heating element mounted in the first chamber;

a plate of heat-conducting material forming one wall of the first chamber in front of the heating element, the plate being sectioned to form a plurality of the platelets circumscribed by a rim, the platelets being interconnected one with another and with the rim by means whereby heat expansion is accommodated and flexibility is imparted thereto;

means on said frame defining a second chamber positioned behind the first chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the heating element;

means on said frame defining a third chamber positioned behind the second chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the second chamber; means, connecting with the terminals of the heating element, behind the third chamber for connection with a source of electrical energy; and handgripping means mounted on the frame behind the third chamber. 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the means to interconnect the platelets one with another and with the rim comprise pins. 

1. A device for use in removing paint, tile or the like from a surface, comprising: a frame; means on said frame defining a first chamber; an electrical heating element mounted in the first chamber; a plate of heat-conducting material forming one wall of the first chamber in front of the heating element, the heating element being concavely curved away from the plate; means on said frame defining a second chamber positioned behind the first chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the heating element; means on said frame defining a third chamber positioned behind the second chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the second chamber; means, connecting with the terminals of the heating element, behind the third chamber for connection with a source of electrical energy; and handgripping means mounted on the frame behind the third chamber.
 2. A device for use in removing paint, tile or the like from a surface, comprising: a frame; means on said frame defining a first chamber; an electrical heating element mounted in the first chamber; a plate of heat-conducting material forming one wall of the first chamber in front of the heating element, the outer surface of the plate being scored with a grid of channels to form rectangular, flat faced studs thereon; means on said frame defining a second chambEr positioned behind the first chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the heating element; means on said frame defining a third chamber positioned behind the second chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the second chamber; means, connecting with the terminals of the heating element, behind the third chamber for connection with a source of electrical energy, and handgripping means mounted on the frame behind the third chamber.
 3. A device for use in removing paint, tile or the like from a surface, comprising: a frame; means on said frame defining a first chamber; an electrical heating element mounted in the first chamber; a plate of heat-conducting material forming one wall of the first chamber in front of the heating element, the plate being sectioned to form a plurality of the platelets circumscribed by a rim, the platelets being interconnected one with another and with the rim by means whereby heat expansion is accommodated and flexibility is imparted thereto; means on said frame defining a second chamber positioned behind the first chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the heating element; means on said frame defining a third chamber positioned behind the second chamber and having ventilation apertures opening laterally therefrom adapted to dissipate the heat emanating rearwardly from the second chamber; means, connecting with the terminals of the heating element, behind the third chamber for connection with a source of electrical energy; and , handgripping means mounted on the frame behind the third chamber.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the means to interconnect the platelets one with another and with the rim comprise pins. 